How to move your authenticator app to a new phone

Your authenticator codes live on your device, not in the cloud by default. So when you switch phones, you need to bring those accounts with you — or you'll be locked out. The good news: if you plan a little, it's painless.

The easy way: transfer before you wipe the old phone

While you still have both phones (or before you erase the old one):

1. Add each account to the new phone. In each service's security settings, choose "set up authenticator app," then scan the new QR code with your new device.
2. Confirm the new code works by signing in once.
3. Only then remove the old phone or turn off the old app.

Doing it in this order means you're never without a working code.

If your app offers its own transfer

Some authenticator apps sync or export accounts to a new device. If yours does, follow its export/import flow — but treat that export like a password: it contains your secret keys.

If you already got rid of the old phone

Don't panic. You have two fallbacks:

• Backup codes. Use a saved backup code to sign in, then re-add the account.
• Account recovery. No backup codes? Follow our lost-phone recovery guide — each service's official recovery process is linked from its page.

Do it once, do it right

Next time, save your backup codes and note which accounts have 2FA. Then a new phone is just a fresh QR scan away.

See setup guides for popular services →